- Spotlight the tree
Forget tangled ropes of tree lights and use a spotlight instead. If you have track lighting, position your tree so the track fixtures can bathe it in light. Or use the portable indoor up light that’s currently highlighting a big houseplant. A swivel desk lamp will also work; locate it so the light strikes the tree but not people’s eyes. Essentially, any light you can direct onto your Christmas tree will highlight its beauty, without any fuss or bother.
- Fragrant holiday window box
Use traditional Christmas plants as the palette with which to fill a detachable window box with aromatic pinecones, poinsettias, sprigs of holly or mistletoe, and clusters of red or white berries. Place it on an inside window ledge, mantle or fireplace shelf, or even your dining room table — it’s a picturesque way to bring the colours and fragrances of traditional Christmas plants indoors.
First, remove any soil and wash the box with bicarbonate of soda or vinegar and water. Most greenery will last for a week or more if you mist it daily. If you plan to add water to the box, plug the drainage holes with clay or putty. Protect paint finishes and furniture from drips and condensation by cutting a disposable nappy to the size of the bottom of the box and laying it, plastic side down, under the box. (Check and change this makeshift ‘soak pad’ as often as necessary.)
- Off-beat homemade gift-wrapping
Instead of buying expensive wrapping paper, look around the house for creative and eco smart substitutes. Newspaper, paper bags, crepe paper, parchment paper, paper placemats, fabric serviettes you don’t use, comic book pages, children’s graph and drawing paper, bubble wrap — the possibilities are endless. Use stamps, stencils and stickers to embellish your wrappings and substitute brightly coloured wools, workshop twines and cords, fabric trims and bindings, torn strips of fabric or an old fabric measuring tape, for bought bows.
- Dried citrus ornaments
Extra oranges and lemons in the fridge that may be past their prime can be transformed into warmly translucent tree ornaments. Cut fruit into 0.5-cm slices; lay the slices flat on a nonstick baking tray and place in the oven on the lowest setting for several hours. Test for dryness by lightly touching the pulp; if it feels sticky, leave the slices in the oven for a little longer; it’s important to remove the fruit before it begins to brown. Cool on a wire rack. Thread the dried fruit slices with ribbon or wool and hang them where they will catch the tree lights. Preserve your dried fruit slices by spraying or painting them with a clear acrylic finish.
- Easter eggs, naturally
Budding young chemists and curious children will really enjoy helping to make naturally coloured Easter eggs with ingredients that come straight from the cupboard and fridge. This family project costs nothing, but the delight in learning is priceless.
- Gently wash eggs with soapy water and dry.
- Place a single layer of eggs in a non-metal pot with the dye source.
- Add 2 tablespoons vinegar to 1 litre water and pour into the pot with eggs. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes and remove saucepan from the heat. If you like the colour as it is, dab off excess dye with a paper towel and put the eggs on a rack to dry. To deepen the colour, leave eggs in the pot until cool. To get even richer shades, put cool eggs in a bowl, strain the dye water and pour it over the eggs. Store the submerged eggs in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- Snow globes from empty jars
Make your own old-fashioned snow globe at home with clean, plain, glass kitchen jars and whatever small Christmas items you have available — such as little plastic Santas and reindeer and ceramic elves and angels. Don’t use wood or metal items. Any size glass jar will work, as long as the objects will fit inside and the lid fits tightly. Small and medium cocktail-onion and baby food jars are ideal for small globes. You may have to buy several items —waterproof epoxy glue, distilled water, white glitter and glycerine (available from pharmacies and online suppliers) — but you will only need small amounts.
- Roughen the inside surface of the jar lid with sandpaper or steel wool and then glue on your object or objects with epoxy; let it dry. Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water and add a drop of glycerine.
- Glycerine thickens the water so glitter will swirl; for larger jars, add a couple of drops. Now add a pinch or two of glitter.
- Screw the jar lid on tightly, being careful not to dislodge the glued-on object. Finally, turn the jar over and enjoy the snowstorm.
